Kitale Film Week (KFW) is an annual international film festival held every February in Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. Founded in 2023 by Peter Pages Bwire, the festival is a flagship initiative of the Kitale Film Institute, designed to promote African cinema, develop local audiences, and position Kitale as a regional film hub. Kitale Film Week features film screenings, conferences, industry events, youth education programs, and an awards ceremony recognizing excellence in African and international filmmaking. Founding members include Wangui Ngunjiri, Joel Tugaineyo, Dawson Mudenyo and Paul Kainonge. Since its inception, the festival has been implemented in partnership with Tunga Media Afrika, Docubox – East African Documentary Film Fund, Fireplace Studios, and Veko Sounds Entertainment.
History.
The inaugural edition of Kitale Film Week took place from 4th to 11th February 2023, with support from the Kenya Film Commission and the County Government of Trans Nzoia. The festival was created in response to the growing need for a decentralized platform that showcases African stories and supports the development of local audiences beyond Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.
Subsequent editions in 2024 and 2025 expanded in scope, drawing participation from filmmakers across Africa and beyond, and receiving institutional support from foreign embassies, including the Embassy of France and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya. The festival is held in collaboration with schools, community centers, independent cinemas, and open public spaces across Kitale.
Objectives.
Kitale Film Week is built on four foundational pillars:
The festival aligns with a broader cultural strategy, including the "Kitale City of Film" campaign, which aims to achieve UNESCO Creative City designation.
Programming.
Kitale Film Week runs for 8 days and includes:
The 2025 edition placed special emphasis on education, featuring a robust "Film in Education" program
Partnerships and support.
Kitale Film Week has received support from:
The festival also collaborates with public and private media, NGOs, and regional film institutions.
Awards.
Each year, Kitale Film Week concludes with an awards ceremony recognizing excellence in:
A total of 10 trophies are awarded annually, with jury panels drawn from filmmakers, critics, educators, and cultural practitioners. Several prominent filmmakers have served in the selection committee and jury including: Wangui Ngunjiri; Lara Utian; Pierrick Chabi; Peter Kawa; Tosh Gitonga; Joel Tugaineyo; Joy Nduto; Nana Kagga; Biko Nyongesa; Jim Bishop; Cassandra Onwualu; and Frankline Oyosa.
Impact.
Kitale Film Week has contributed significantly to:
It is considered one of the fastest-growing cultural festivals in Kenya.
Reception and media coverage.
Since its inception, Kitale Film Week has been recognized as a pioneering cultural event in Kenya’s Rift Valley region, receiving praise for decentralizing access to cinema and actively promoting African storytelling. The festival has been featured in both local and international media, cultural diplomacy platforms, and film industry reports.
Kenya's leading newspapers, including "Daily Nation", have highlighted the festival's role in "democratizing film access" and "building a culture of cinema-going outside Nairobi." The event has also been profiled on local radio and television stations such as "Citizen TV", with particular attention to its Film in Education program and mobile cinema initiatives.
The Kenya Film Commission has cited Kitale Film Week as an example of effective county-level cultural innovation and has supported the festival consistently since its launch. Similarly, diplomatic missions such as the Embassy of France in Kenya and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have publicly endorsed and co-supported the festival, emphasizing its contribution to youth engagement, cultural exchange, and audience development.
Social media engagement around the festival has grown year over year, with filmmakers, educators, and audiences praising its inclusive programming and community outreach.